The February 19 Art, Antiques and Jewelry Auction at Antique Helper showcased decorative and luxury items from the early to mid 20th century.  Auction day saw a full house and active telephone and internet bidding for much of the day.

Kicking off the sale was a large session featuring an impressive array of gold jewelry.  Included in the selection were several gold ingots, coins and bullion bars. Prices ran fairly consistently with market value and catalog estimates.

The real star of the show was without a doubt a beautiful Asprey and Company butterfly brooch.  The fabulous little 18K gold Arthropod was laden with diamonds of various cuts, colors and descriptions, including one diamond alone weighing in at approximately 1.00 carat.  The brooch saw very active bidding, and brought a winning bid of $21,500 from a telephone bidder.

Perhaps the most talked about item offered in this auction was a 1930s Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that once belonged to the stepson of author and poet Robert Louis Stevenson.  Monogrammed “Samuel Osbourne ou Yvonne Payerne,” the trunk sported the names of its aging owner and his young French mistress as well as remnants of travel labels and masking tape, which had evidently been used to hide Mlle Payerne’s name.  The trunk (est. $5,000 - $8,000) generated plenty of presale attention, attracting a number of telephone and absentee bids, in addition to Internet bidders and watchers.  An elated floor bidder placed the winning bid of $8,000.

Among the fine art offered in this auction were four pastel drawings by Indiana artist Glen Cooper Henshaw (1884-1946).  The drawings brought hammer prices ranging from $250-$300.

A collection of eighteen Louis Icart loose leaf color book plate etchings from “Felicia ou Mes Fredaines” by Andrea de Nerciat had no trouble exceeding the high estimate of $500. It took a climatic bid of $900 to win the adult themed works.

In keeping with current market trends, a number of Asian art and antiques saw strong bidding.  A Chinese Chippendale style miniature secretary/jewel case (est. $200-$400) leapt past its high estimate with a hammer price of $1,500.  A pair of Chinese ivory figures shared a similar fate when they easily surpassed their high estimate of $250. A winning bid of $1,150 took the diminuative recipients of the Great Harvest.

This auction featured a nice selection of art glass and cameo glass.  A Steuben blue aurene salt dish (est. $300-$500) settled nicely within estimate, with a winning bid of $400.  A pair of Steuben Bristol yellow threaded footed salts faired even better, doubling its high estimate of $300, reaching a respectiable $625.

Among the cameo glass offered was a Daum early Isis cameo glass vase with the Cross of Lorraine (est. $750-$1,250).  It sold within estimate with a gavel price of $1,150.  A Galle French cameo art glass vase (est. $500-$1,000) saw a winning bid of $700, while an internally decorated Galle cabinet vase brought $425.  An interesting pate de verre art glass tile decorated with a flying beetle crafted in the style of Almerz Walta exceeded the high estimate of $400, with a winning bid of $500.

A fold out snack tray server caddy sporting decoration by avant-garde design genius Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) easily sailed past a high estimate of $500.  A winning bid of $650 reaffirmed the validity of utilitarian art.

Antique Helper fans have watched pieces from a large collection of Mid Century Modern pottery and ceramics sell during the past several Tuesday Express Auctions.  Antique Helper staff took great care to put aside the very best pieces from this collection, including  them in the catalog for the February 19 auction.  Prices for these items were solid, as collectors vied for the chance to own rare and wonderful examples from this prolific period. 

The highlight of this session was, without a doubt, a #202 Roseville Raymor ovoid bun warmer in terra cotta.  Despite the ill-fitting lid, this rare Mid Century piece met its high estimate of $500.  Other Roseville pieces sold within or close to estimate as well.

Poppytrail Aztec brought healthy prices on Saturday.  A lot of four free-form dishes and casseroles, one missing a lid (est. $300-$400) neatly managed to sell within estimate, bringing a hammer price of $375. 

A hostess’ dream come true was found in a collection of 75-pieces of Paul McCobb Contempri Jackson China.  The set, including serving pieces, dishes, and everything a good hostess would need for a perfect evening of entertaining, was estimated between $300 and $500. It sold nicely within estimate at $425.

Lot details, images and complete sale results for this auction and other past Antique Helper Auctions can be found at www.antiquehelper.com. 

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For more information, please call 317-251-5635.

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*Prices listed do not include buyer’s premiums, which are as follows: Floor bidders:  15%; Absentee and telephone bidders:  20%; Internet bidders: 23%.  Discounts for day of auction payment and non-credit card payment are given to all non-Internet bidders.